Seasonal Events
January | |
HP Houston Marathon | Combined with the Halliburton International Half Marathon and Houston Press/METRO 5K, this event attracts on average more than 15,000 participants, 200,000 spectators and 5,000 volunteers. |
February | |
Houston Antique Dealers Association | Annual show/sale. Held in the George R. Brown Convention Center. Admission fee. |
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo | The world's largest livestock show and rodeo offers experiences for families and spectators of all ages. General admission includes rodeo performance, concert, livestock and commercial exhibits. |
Chinese New Year Festival | Food, fireworks, entertainment. Last two weeks in February. |
Mardi Gras in Galveston | Parades and celebration along the Strand in Galveston. Sponsored by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Date varies annually, begins the Lenten celebration 40 days before Easter. |
March | |
Houston Azalea Trail | Sponsored by the River Oaks Garden Club. A pilgrimage through selected gardens and homes of River Oaks. Admission fee. |
St. Patrick's Day Parade | Houston's tribute to the Irish. |
April | |
Houston International Festival | Booths, exhibits, performances, food, music and dance contribute to an exciting city-wide celebration. Admission fee. Discounts available for tickets purchased in advance. Children under 12 free. |
Japan Festival | The Japanese Gardens draw 22,000 people annually to a weekend celebration of Japanese culture. Folk and traditional dancers, music performers and displays of the martial arts, Ikeban flower design and origami. |
Annual River Oaks International Tennis Tournament | The oldest professional clay-court tournament in the country still playing on its original site. |
Arabia Shrine Circus | Nationally known circus troupe. Benefits Shriners' Hospital in the Medical Center and other Shriner projects. Admission fee. |
Bluebonnet Festival | Festival honoring the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas, held the first weekend in April. The wild flowers that adorn the Texas highways between Houston & Brenham are well worth a visit during March & April. The drive from Houston to Austin is one of the most glorious sights during the spring. There are no admission fees. There is a $5.00 parking fee. |
WorldFest:Houston International Film Festival | Entries from all over the world. Directors, stars and producers appear throughout the festival. |
Shell Houston Open Golf Tournament | Prestigious nationally known tournament on a beautiful course. Benefiting Houston area charities, the tournament is one of the biggest events on the PGA Tour. |
San Jacinto Day (April 21) | Celebrates General Sam Houston's defeat of the Mexican Army. |
May | |
Cinco de Mayo Celebration (May 5) | Large celebration normally held at Hermann Park, beginning with a downtown parade, commemorating Mexico's independence from Spain. It includes dancing, food and entertainment. Admission free. |
The Art Car Parade | Parade of outlandishly decorated cars, bicycles, lawnmowers and just about anything on wheels is the oldest and largest of its kind. Part of related art car events produced by the Orange Show Foundation. |
Mediterranean Festival | Sponsored by the St. George Orthodox Church. Great food, pastries and wine from the Mediterranean area. Music, folk dancing and donkey rides. Admission fee. |
Pin Oak Charity Horse Show | All-breed championship horses and performers from across the country. |
June | |
Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show | Sponsored by the Boating Trade Assoc. of Greater Houston. The entire marine Astrohall industry is represented on one floor, 125 acres of boats, as well as campers, motor homes, entire spectrum of sports equipment, travel information. |
Juneteenth Festival (June 19) | Sponsored by the National Emancipation Association. Various festivals around town. Commemorates the day it was announced in Galveston to Texas slaves that President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation two years before. |
July | |
Chevy's Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell | Houston's official July 4th celebration provides the largest fireworks spectacular in the metropolitan area. Admission fee. |
Houston Shakespeare Festival | Performance of famous Shakespearean plays by the University of Houston Theatre Department at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. |
Sharpstown Fireworks Show | 4th of July event; heavy traffic, but worth the effort. |
4th of July Fireworks Over Clear Lake "Salute to America" | Lights up the sky over Clear Lake. Best view from Clear Lake Park on NASA Rd. 1. |
International Gem & Jewelry Show | Huge collection of sparkling jewels and natural ore samples. Admission fee. |
August | |
Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet | Two-day event includes street dance, shrimp boil and carnival. The Bay Shrimp Fleet puts on its finest for this annual occasion. |
Houston International Jazz Festival | The largest jazz festival in the Southwest, benefiting Jazz Education, Inc. |
September | |
Fiestas Patrias | Hispanic heritage celebration parade. |
Houston Industries Power of Houston Celebration | A week-long celebration of Houston's power of diversity and spirit of volunteerism. |
October | |
Bayou City Art Festival Downtown | Arts, crafts, food and entertainment near City Hall and Hermann Square, as well as Sam Houston Park. Weekends only. |
Houston Gun Collectors Show | Antique and modern firearms exhibition. Admission fee. |
Houston in-the-Water Boat Show | End of September or first of October. |
Greek Festival | Sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Authentic Greek food, pastries, music and folk dancing. Admission fee. |
Heritage Days/The Long Horn Rod Run | About 20 miles from Houston via I 45 North to Spring/Cypress exit #70A, turn right and go east one mile to Main St. Restored homes and businesses dating back to early 1900s come to life with a parade, band music, old west gunfights, outdoor food booths, children's petting zoo and many specialty shops and boutiques selling arts and crafts, antiques. |
Texas Renaissance Festival | A look back at the 16th Century with excellent food, games, art and performers. |
International Quilt Festival | A week-long event, the largest quilt show in the world, exhibiting more than 1000 antique and contemporary quilts, cloth dolls and wearable art, and offering classes taught by world famous fiber artists. Admission fee. |
November | |
Martyn Farm Armand Bayou Fall Festival | Step back in time to the early 1900s and celebrate old-fashioned farm life with music, crafts, demonstrations, wagon rides, food and great fun! Learn basket weaving, candle making, rope making and other early farm skills. Paddle a canoe in the pond and taste sugar cane or cane syrup. Admission fee. |
Mayor's Downtown Houston Holiday Celebration | The Mayor kicks off the holiday season with a festive family celebration. |
Miracle on Main Street | Ice skating amid downtown's skyscrapers. |
Thanksgiving Day Parade | A theme parade with special salute to the Christmas season. |
December | |
Dickens on the Strand | Re-creation of the Dickens London of the 1800s. Authentic costumes and performances of A Christmas Carol. (Usually the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of December). Admission fee. |
Annual Candlelight Tours | Sponsored by the Harris County Heritage Society. Tour the historic structures in Sam Houston Park which are decorated for Christmas reflecting each home's era. Admission fee. |
Yuletide at Bayou Bend | Featuring carolers and fine collections of early American furnishings and art decorated for the season. Admission fee. |